February 11, 2015 | Don Duncan

California Assembly Member Marc Levin (D-San Rafael) has just introduced ASA-sponsored legislation to protect medical cannabis patients who need an organ transplant from life-threatening discrimination. Legal patients can be denied an organ transplant right now based solely on their status as a medical cannabis patient, but AB 258 will protect patients and save lives.

Do you have questions or input about AB 258, state regulation and licensing, or local medical cannabis issues? ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer is in town this week, and she wants to talk to you. Steph is talking to medical cannabis patients and other stakeholders about their role in local and state politics in a series of events entitled “Our Health Is In Our Hands.” Look for appearances in San Diego, West Hollywood, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa this week in the Events section of this message.

ASA California Weekly Roundup: February 11, 2015

Contents:

Contest: Enter to Win FREE trip to the National Medical Cannabis Unity ConferenceNews

Dr. Vivek Murthy On Medical Marijuana: US Surgeon General Says It 'Can Be Helpful' (National)

Help us celebrate Medical Marijuana Week February 8-15, 2015 by entering the #MMJWeekUnity15 Photo Contest. Since 2002, ASA has celebrated and hosted activities during Medical Marijuana Week to help build solidarity and bring attention the therapeutic value of cannabis.

Dr. Vivek Murthy On Medical Marijuana: US Surgeon General Says It 'Can Be Helpful' (National)Bruce Wright, International Business Times

The campaign to validate the medicinal qualities of marijuana got its latest endorsement Wednesday morning from the top U.S. medical authority, who said “marijuana can be helpful” for treating certain conditions and symptoms. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy made those and related comments during an appearance on CBS News, although he primarily was discussing the debate surrounding vaccinations for measles.

Hip-hop group Cypress Hill gained fame in the 1990s with marijuana-themed songs like “Dr. Greenthumb. Now one of its members might become a real Dr. Greenthumb after he and 19 other applicants won a city lottery Thursday to put them on a path to legally distribute medical marijuana in Santa Ana.Read more here:http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-650380-marijuana-lottery.html

February 9, 2015 - Marijuana Compassion and Common Sense (Online) 6:00 PM at www.blogtalkradio.com/marijuananews Tune in for this weekly live Internet broadcast about cannabis and medical cannabis issues. You can call in to participate.

---February 10, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer (San Diego, CA)4:30 PM at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego CA, 92123. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016.

---February 11, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer (Los Angeles, CA)Time and address TBA. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016.

---February 12, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer (San Francisco, CA)Time and address TBA. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016.

---February 13, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer (Sacramento, CA)6:00 PM in the Back Room at Perko’s, 925 3rd Street, Sacramento, CA 94814. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016. Dinner menu available at your own expense.

---February 15, 2015 – Our Health Is On Our Hands with Steph Sherer (Santa Rosa)4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Arlene Francis Center at 99 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Join ASA Executive Director for a conversation about medical cannabis in California at the local and state level between now and 2016. Complimentary tea and refreshments served.

---March 27-31, 2015 – ASA’s National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference 2015 (Washington, DC)Join us March 27th – 31stfor the biggest and most important medical cannabis conference yet. Early bird and ASA member discounts are now available. Save money on registration, travel, and lodging by registering now. For more information: http://www.nationalmedicalcannabisunityconference.org

February 10, 2015 – Court Support for Chris Phillips and Michelle Sunderland (Pleasanton)12:00 PM at 5672 Stoneridge Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588. This is a pre-trial hearing. Dress in an appropriate manner and obey all courtroom rules to best help the defendants.

Medical cannabis patients still face pervasive discrimination when it comes to employment, housing, parental right, and equal access to healthcare. ASA is collecting data about discrimination against legal medical cannabis patients, primary caregivers, and providers to help educate lawmakers and regulators. The 26-question patient survey is up now. Please take a few minutes to answer the mostly yes or no questions.

A patient in California can be denied a life-saving organ transplant solely based on the fact that he or she uses medical cannabis! Legal patients have died after being removed from the organ transplant list, and others are in jeopardy right now. Americans for Safe Access, the nation's leading medical cannabis patients' advocacy organization, proposes legislation to prevent anyone from being denied a transplant because of medical cannabis. Sign this petition to let lawmakers know you support the Medical Marijuana Organ Transplant Act to provide equal access to health care for legal patients.

ASA-CCSA is a membership-based email discussion list about local and state medical cannabis legislation, initiatives, referendums, and related litigation in the state of California. Unlike this weekly email, you can respond to messages on ASA-CCSA and share your response with everyone. The purpose of the list is to facilitate dialog and participation by movement and industry stakeholders. Respectful and courteous participation, conversations, and debate are welcome.

The California Campaign for Safe Access is ASA's oldest state campaign. There are more legal patients, providers, and recommending physicians in California than any other state. More than 1.4 million patients have safe, reliable, and dignified access to medicine in the state, but significant challenges remain. Read about our goals, legislation, and more in this section of the website.

The “California Weekly Roundup” is a once-a-week email for ASA Members and Friends that focuses on relevant news and important updates, action alerts, meetings and special events. Send items for the California Weekly Roundup to CARoundup@SafeAccessNow.org before 12:00 PM on Friday to be included in Monday's distribution.